Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Nightmares and New Traditions

Thankfully I don't have to look far, as I find her in the kitchen, slumped onto one of the barstools and eyes glued to her work computer. I pause in the doorway, frowning at the sight of the woman. There are dark circles under her eyes, dark enough to rival that of my own and she looks absolutely exhausted. I'm halfway through contemplating whether today is the day that I say something when her green eyes suddenly glance up from the computer screen and find me.

Neither one of us says anything as I move further into the kitchen and grab a glass to get some water, the only sounds coming from the running water as I fill my glass. Eventually I turn around to find her attention back on the computer and raise an eyebrow, making my way around the counter until I'm standing directly behind her to see what exactly she's so preoccupied with at three in the morning and automatically freeze. "This isn't a Marvel script is it?"

Lizzie manages to laugh a little at that, still staring at the computer screen. "No. It's not a Marvel script. It's for some indie horror movie my agent wants me to audition for sometime after the new year."

Raising an eyebrow, I take a sip of my water and don't respond. I don't want to point out that I think it's a terrible idea, especially if it's a horror movie considering everything that's happened recently, knowing that she'll just get defensive again and it's honestly way to fucking early for that. "Can I ask why you're up looking at scripts at three in the morning?"

The brunette's shoulders tense, and even from my vantage point behind her, I can see the way her jaw clenches and unclenches repeatedly. "Couldn't sleep."

Tapping my fingers against my half-empty cup of water, I narrow my eyes at the back of my girlfriend's head. "Why couldn't you sleep?"

Lizzie lets out a loud sigh, turning in her seat to meet my gaze and looking much more tired than when I found her. "Can we not do this, please?"

I softened my gaze, placing my glass on the island before wrapping my arms around her midsection and squeezing her slightly. "I'm just worried about you, Liz."

The brunette relaxes into my embrace, weaving her fingers in between my own that are resting against her stomach. "I know."

Deciding that I'd wait until tomorrow, or later today I guess, to revisit the topic, I unwrap myself from around her and gently close her laptop before taking one of her hands and tugging in the direction of the living room. "Come lay with me?"

Lizzie frowns a little, but doesn't resist as I pull her out of the kitchen and towards the couch. It's new, because when I said I wanted a fresh start with Lizzie in our new home I meant it, and we both agreed on the u-shaped sectional that was big enough to accommodate our ever-growing friend/family group.

"I really don't know if I can go back to sleep."

Knowing very well that I'm going to have to pull out all the stops to get her to rest, because she's entirely too stubborn for her own good, I immediately jut out my lower lip and give the older woman my best pout. "You don't have to sleep, babe. Just cuddle with me? Please?"

The brunette lets out a sigh, but settles herself into one corner of the sectional and I follow her, resting myself between her parted legs as I press my face into her tummy and let out a content sigh. Lizzie tosses one of the many blankets she's placed in here over the both of us and I smile to myself as I feel one of her hands slide into my hair and begin to lazily play scratch against my scalp. The sensation makes my already tired mind, well, more tired and I close my eyes, hoping to get a few more hours of sleep in before we have to start our day.

"We need to get a Christmas tree, and decorations. And gifts for everyone."

I crack one eye open, tilting my head up so that I'm looking at my girlfriend, a little confused about the random list she just rambled off. "Right now? I don't think Target is open yet, my love."